Thomas Siegert

Dr. Thomas Siegert is a faculty researcher in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Würzburg's Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, leading the high-energy astrophysics research group focused on MeV gamma-ray observations. His work bridges thermal and non-thermal emission mechanisms through gamma-ray line studies to probe astrophysical processes in supernovae, novae, cosmic rays, and dark matter.

His research centers on resolving the Positron Puzzle regarding the origin of Galactic 511 keV emission, investigating nucleosynthesis through radioactive isotopes (Al-26, Fe-60, Ti-44, Na-22), and developing advanced analysis tools for gamma-ray missions. He is deeply involved with the NASA COSI SMEX mission (launch 2027) as lead developer of the COSIpy data analysis software and collaborates with the INTEGRAL/SPI team at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.

Recent publications reveal intense focus on:

• Time-variable diffuse gamma-ray foregrounds from solar system bodies
• Constraints on sub-GeV dark matter from INTEGRAL observations
• Gamma-ray line diagnostics for stellar nucleosynthesis
• Novae as potential lithium factories via Be-7 decay

Siegert actively mentors PhD students including Eric Nanowsky (magnetic shielding for MeV telescopes) and Sean Penny. His group maintains critical infrastructure for the COSI mission and contributes to the INTEGRAL Science Data Center's background modeling.

Notable projects include the COSIpy analysis framework, population synthesis models for Galactic nucleosynthesis, and pioneering studies of positron annihilation in stellar flares and cosmic-ray interactions. His work directly enables future MeV gamma-ray astronomy through instrument development and theoretical modeling of emission mechanisms.